The British rider Ben Swift will make his Tour de France debut after being included in Team Sky's nine-man squad. The 23-year-old Rotherham rider is one of three Brits in the squad alongside Geraint Thomas and Bradley Wiggins.

Wiggins, fourth in 2009 and 24th in 2010, will start the Tour in the Vendée region of western France on 2 July on the back of the biggest win of his road career at this month's Dauphiné Libéré.

Thomas excelled in the 2010 Tour and was always likely to be selected, with Swift's inclusion coming after five wins this season.

Edvald Boasson Hagen, Juan Antonio Flecha and Simon Gerrans, all of whom rode in Team Sky's debut Tour last July, are included, as are Colombia's Rigoberto Urán, who helped Wiggins in the mountains at the Dauphiné, Xabier Zandio and the German national champion, Christian Knees – all winter recruits.

After changing the focus from "one rider and one race" – namely Wiggins and the Tour – Team Sky appear to have reaped the benefits this season, with Thomas also among the winners after victory in Bayern Rundfahrt.

The Team Sky principal, Dave Brailsford, said he was pleased with the "exciting" composition of his squad.

"This is a strong and balanced team with a real depth of talent to cater for all the challenges, from the team time trial to its high mountain finishes. The squad have raced and trained together consistently well and are full of confidence after excellent results at Bayern Rundfahrt and the Criterium du Dauphiné.

"There is a great blend of experience and youth in our squad. As well as riders like Bradley, Flecha, Simon, Christian and Xabier who have ridden the Grand Tours on numerous occasions, the line-up also includes some of the peloton's brightest young talents in Edvald, Geraint, Rigoberto and Ben."

Wiggins, who changed his approach this season after missing out on his aim of being the first Briton on the Tour podium in Paris last July, said: "The team is in great shape, full of confidence and riding well. It's going to be a great three weeks of racing."

Swift said he is excited to have been included. "Competing in the Tour de France is what every young rider dreams of and I'm really excited about the challenge ahead. The team is riding well and we can't wait to get going against the world's best riders."

Brailsford said: "I am delighted that Ben Swift will be making his Tour debut. He is enjoying a breakthrough season with five wins already and he will absolutely thrive on this opportunity to test himself on the biggest stage of all." Meanwhile, Team Sky's colours will be green at this year's Tour as part of a save the rainforest campaign.